Bad light, followed by heavy rain, brings Day 4 to an early conclusion. It is absolutely pelting down at the Chinnaswamy now. A mixed day where New Zealand's patience had the last laugh over India's brute. Good decision from the umpires, if you're looking from the neutral perspective.

The Indian players are waiting for the verdict. However, the covers are coming on with rain in the distance. Bad news for India. In fact, it has started raining heavily.

A big chunk of dark cloud is over the ground. Long chat between the umpires and Rohit. Kohli's joins the chat. India are not happy. We have already lost 24 overs today.

Bumrah is into the attack. Latham is beaten by pace and height. Bumrah pleads in appeal before signalling for the DRS. Rohit it takes it. It dies down in a second as Hawk-Eye shows that was pitching outside leg

NZ: 0/0 (0.3)

India collapse! Just a lead of 106. Siraj is out for the first time this home season. Top comeback from NZ after Tea. Everything went down the hill for India after Pant's dismissal. NZ to chase 107. Can they do it today?

Mohammed Siraj c Southee b Henry 0 (2)

That's an unplayable ball! Bumrah is half-forward to defend a length ball, it holds its line, takes a healthy edge. Easy catch for Blundell behind the sticks

Jasprit Bumrah c Blundell b Henry 0 (4)

IND: 462/9 (99.1)

Ashwin departs! Stays low, nips back in. Given out. Ashwin takes a desperate DRS. Hawk-Eye returns an umpire's call on the top of leg stump. Big wicket for the Kiwis

Ravichandran Ashwin lbw b Henry 15 (24)

IND: 458/8

The lead is now over 100. Anything over 120 is not going to be easy target so India also right in this match.

IND: 458/7

Ashwin, that's how you do it! That is an excellent shot. Gets a length ball, stays in the crease, and gets under it to loft it back over the bowler's head for four. These are important runs.

IND: 453/7 (94.5)

Jadeja walks back into the hut! Short ball tactics working for NZ. Jadeja tries to pull this. He has found the man at square leg to perfection

Ravindra Jadeja c Young b O'Rourke 5 (15)
IND: 441/7 (92.3)

First ball after Tea, and O'Rourke goes for the short one. Ashwin leaves this, knowing that this tactics from NZ won't end. It's going to be a trick situation for India with no recognised batter after Ash and Jadeja.

IND: 438/6 (90.3)

KL Rahul walks back too. O'Rourke gets Pant and Rahul in consecutive overs. India in a spot of bother now. They lead by just 82 with six batters back in the hut. Meanwhile, Tea has also been taken

IND: 438/6 (90.2)

Unbelievable! Pant chops it on. An unfortunate dismissal and he walks off with an expression-less face. The crowd goes into a silence. KL Rahul can't believe it either. 

IND: 433/5 (88.1)

Pant goes bang and out of the ground! He lunged on one knee, picked it up from off stump - no less. He moves to 96 with that. Need another boundary to get to his 100.

IND: 425/4 (86.3)

Rahul gets off the mark! It took him six balls and a slice of luck. Plays it late, enough to squeeze it between the fielders. 

IND: 413/4 (85.4)

Sarfaraz gets to 150 and falls soon after. Big wicket for New Zealand.  Nonetheless, what a fine innings this has been. Gets a standing ovation from the crowd.

Sarfaraz Khan c Patel b Southee 150 (195)
IND: 408/4 (84.1)

The new ball has definitely stemmed the flow of runs. Pant is trying his best to eeke out a few boundaries. His response is to sweep the fast bowler after telling Sarfaraz to be watchful

IND: 405/3 (83)

400 comes up for India! Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan are in no mood to slow down. The lead in now 44. New Zealand have taken the new ball. Latham gives it to Southee. His experience could come in handy for the Kiwis.

IND: 400/3 (80)

Rishabh Pant has become the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to score 2500 Test runs. He achieved the milestone in just 62 innings, surpassing the previous record held by former captain MS Dhoni, who reached the landmark in 69 innings.

Rishabh Pant goes over covers! One bounce for four. This guy is a cheat code. Always one of the best to watch: the inside-out drive. Excellent execution from spidy

IND: 386/3 (77.2)

Rishabh Pant with a gorgeous late cut for 4! Brings up the 150-run partnership between Pant and Sarfaraz. 

Pant now on 78 in just 79 balls.

IND 381/3 (77 overs)

The floodlights are on, as India complete their 75th over. The lead now at 17. Stupendous comeback, led by the partnership between Sarfaraz and Pant. 

IND 373/3 (75 overs)

Such is the beauty of nature. The sun is out in Bengaluru, and promises us a lot more action on Day 4. Oh this game is far from over. As Sarfaraz continues his unorthodox strokeplay, and upper cuts it over the wicket-keeper.

IND 370/3 (74.3 overs)

New Zealand waste a second review, and Pant responds with a reverse sweep aerial boundary over the head of first slip! India take the lead against NZ! 

IND 360/3 (73.2 overs)

Appeal for caught behind denied by the umpire, but New Zealand have gone for another review. Rishabh Pant in trouble?

IND 356/3 (73.1 overs)

A single of the final of the 73rd over. Scores are level. What a batting performance it has been so far by India.

IND 356/3 (73 overs)

Rishabh Pant steps out and slams it down the ground for four. Will O'Rourke ducks out of the way in time. India trail by just 1 run now.

IND 355/3 (72.4 overs)

The second session will last till 3:30 PM, so we have more than 90 minutes of play now. The post tea session will go on till 5:15 PM.

Lots of action left today, weather permitting.

Pant survives a big scare! A big edge was caught at first slip, but after umpire checks, it is confirm that the ball did touch the ground. How does he respond? Huge six over long on!

India trail by only 6 runs now. 350 up for India.

IND 350/3 (72 overs)

Rachin Ravindra to Rishabh Pant, and a solid front-foot block by the left-hander. Play is underway again in Chinnaswamy!

IND 344/3 (71.1 overs)

The New Zealand players are out on the field, near the boundary in a huddle. It has not been a good Day 4 for them, but can they use the damp conditions to their advantage?

GREAT NEWS! The Test match will be back underway in 10 minutes. Fabulous work by the groundstaff, and we will be underway at 1:50 PM IST with the second session.

The second session will be designated to go on from 1:50 PM to 3:30 PM. 23 overs have been lost on Day 4.

The stumps have been put in place on the pitch, while the groundstaff continue to work on negating the puddles and wet patches on the ground. We are getting nearer to some Test cricket! 

If play can resume shortly, we may have an elongated second and third session today.

Huge positive news coming from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The rain has stopped and the covers are being taken off from the ground. The ground staff are now expected to remove puddles and work on making the outfield dry as soon as possible.

Can we get some action before Tea?

Once again, the fourth umpire has entered the field of play at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The bad news? He still has an umbrella on, and it is still drizzling in Bengaluru.

Rain hasn't stopped at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. A drizzle continues in Bengaluru. Very unlikely that we will have any play in the post-Lunch session.

Rain is still heavy at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. We could have an entire session of play wiped out if it stays like this. Let's hope there's some cricket left on Day 4.

Here's a remarkable stat. Rishabh Pant has crossed 50 in each of his last five innings, when he's batted in the 3rd innings of a Test match. The streak goes back to 2022.

Three fifties and two centuries in that. He still has the chance to go more today. Especially brilliant today, given he suffered discomfort on his knee and had to go off earlier during the Test match.

Rain is still on at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, very visible through the camera lens. More than hour now since rain halted action. The time for Lunch is over, and now it's time to wait for when the rain stops.

"Suddenly the rain has become heavier," says Saba Karim. The rain is coming from the far end, where dark clouds are hovering.

"And suddenly the rain has stopped!" says Saba Karim. Unpredictable rain at Chinnaswamy.

Oh dear! The umbrellas are back on and rain has suddenly increased again at the Chinnaswamy. Right as we were getting optimistic about a quick restart. 

"Generally, it rains in the afternoon in Bengaluru, so we may get another bout of shower," says Anil Kumble on air. Grim news.

Great news. Saba Karim removes his umbrella on air. Reports that rain has stopped. Meanwhile, the fourth official is in conversation with ground staff. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar is also present in the chat. Could play resume soon?

"Conditions have improved, and play will surely resume soon after lunch," says Saba Karim on air. Great news for cricket fans.

Rain still seems to be quite heavy at the Chinnaswamy, with umbrellas still out. A restart at 12:00 PM, straight after Lunch, seems unlikely.

India and New Zealand will ideally restart play at 12 PM right after lunch, but it all depends on the weather. As it stands, we have heavy rain in Bengaluru for the first time since Day 1, and it's not good news just yet.

"Quite heavy rain," reports Saba Karim on air from the ground. Not good news for the moment, but let's keep fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, an earlier lunch has been taken given the conditions and the stoppage in play. 22 overs, 113 runs on Day 4 for India. 

A recap of today's play:

Abrupt rain cut short India's chase of cutting down New Zealand's lead, with India trailing by only 12 runs at the stoppage. Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant completed a 100-run partnership in just 20 overs on Day 4. Sarfaraz reached his maiden Test ton, after a range of high-risk shots. On the other hand, Pant started off slowly before completing his own half-century in just 55 balls.

The pitch is covered very well, and the Chinnaswamy's drainage system is known to be one of the best in India. Let's hope there isn't much of a stoppage, because this is shaping into a fascinating Test match.

Suddenly, it's raining cats and dogs at the Chinnaswamy. A very abrupt stop to proceedings after a sudden downpour. Let's hope play can resume soon. 

As it stands, India trail New Zealand by 12 runs.

IND 344/3 (71 overs)

A magnificent drive through the covers for 4 to bring up a half-century! Rishabh Pant started off slow and steady, and he's picked up brilliantly in the last 10 overs or so. Reaches his milestone in just 55 balls.

IND 344/3 (70.5 overs)

The hero with the bat for New Zealand will now try his luck with the ball. Left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra takes up the ball. Sarfaraz continues his own merry game, and picks up more runs through the third man region.

IND 337/3 (70 overs)

Sarfaraz heaves over long off and gets another boundary. 100-run stand between Sarfaraz and Pant. Aggressive, brave, high-risk but effective cricket by India. The pressure is all on New Zealand now, and it's a matter of time before India takes the lead.

Pant is also nearing his fifty, on 46.

IND 334/3 (69 overs)

Dark clouds, overcast grey conditions stay in the Bengaluru sky. The threat of rain isn't zero, and the floodlights are shining bright.

IND 326/3 (68 overs)

Dark clouds, overcast grey conditions stay in the Bengaluru sky. The threat of rain isn't zero, and the floodlights are shining bright.

IND 326/3 (68 overs)

Sarfaraz and Pant are 9 runs away from completing a century stand. This has been a partnership of brave strokeplay, high-risk high-reward game. New Zealand have been pushed on to the back foot, and these two batters are on the up.

IND 322/3 (67 overs)

Very next ball, once again an LBW appeal. This time the umpire gives not out, Tom Latham reviews, but replays show there was an edge off the bat again. Pant continues to survive. Crazy stuff.

And oh! Final ball of the over, Pant goes over the top, long-off fails to take a diving catch, and Pant gets 4! Drama, drama!

IND 318/3 (66 overs)

Rishabh Pant is given out LBW, but he reviews instantly. Replays show that there is clear bat involved, and Pant survives. Dramatic stuff at the Chinnaswamy. 

IND 314/3 (65.4 overs)

Two towering sixes over long on by Rishabh Pant off Ajaz Patel! The left-hander is coming into the mood now!

IND 314/3 (65.3 overs)

The crowd is starting to increase at the Chinnaswamy. There may have been some gloomy faces after Kohli departed last ball of Day 3, but Sarfaraz and Pant have continued in maginificent style. 

IND 302/3 (65 overs)

Dinesh Karthik reveals on air that Sarfaraz Khan has informed both umpires multiple times regarding whether the light is good enough for play. So far, the umpires think it is. 

Meanwhile, a rare maiden over! Sarfaraz plays out six dots off Glenn Phillips.

IND 302/3 (65 overs)

Sarfaraz continues his fancy strokeplay, scoops it over. The ball seemed to be running away for four, but an excellent bit of work by Conway saves two. Next ball, Sarfaraz scoops again, and gets 4! 300 up for India!

IND 302/3 (64 overs)

Drinks being taken. A good hour of play for India. 63 runs added to the total, and NZ's lead is only 62 now. No wickets lost, Sarfaraz has reached his first Test century, and Pant is steadily progressing. 

IND 294/3 (63 overs)

Glenn Phillips, the man who got Virat Kohli out on the last ball of Day 3, is now into the attack. New Zealand switching from pace to spin, as we move into the second hour of play on Day 4.

IND 292/3 (62.1 overs)

It's just past 10 AM, but the floodlights are already on at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Overcast conditions, a lot of cloud cover. Let's hope bad light doesn't play spoilsport to an enthralling Test match.

IND 291/3 (61 overs)

Rishabh Pant hits it big and handsome over long-off for six. He wants to enter the party now, and put pressure on the bowlers. Angles it past the slips for 4 on the final ball as well. 10 off the over, Pant up to 22.

IND 291/3 (61 overs)

Quickfire 50-run partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, scored in less than an hour on Day 4. Excellent batting, despite the high-risk. Led by Sarfaraz, and supported well by Pant.

India trail New Zealand by 75 runs.

IND 281/3 (60 overs)

A delivery by Ajaz Patel flies off Pant's gloves and towards the slips. Luckily for him, it is beyond the first slip, but NZ have brought Ajaz to stop things.

IND 280/3 (59.4 overs)

Sarfaraz stands tall, deals with length, punched off the back foot through the offside. Exquisite strokeplay. Not just the high-risk aerials, Sarfaraz's baseline technique is phenomenal too. 

IND 280/3 (58.2 overs)

It has been a fascinating first 45 minutes on Day 4. India have added 45 runs in 45 minutes, courtesy some brave strokeplay by Sarfaraz Khan. 

IND 276/3 (58 overs)

48 runs through gully and third man, 25 runs through fine leg and square leg. Just 2 runs out of 102 through the V. Exceptional wagon wheel showcasing Sarfaraz's skill and composure. New Zealand have thrown the short ball at him, and he has responded in style.

Punched through the covers for four! Sarfaraz Khan completes his maiden Test century! India's run-machine in domestic cricket is now delivering on the international stage. From a duck in the first innings to a magnificent hundred now. He has taken the risks, and it has paid off! He reaches his century in 110 balls.

IND 275/3 (57 overs)

What's gone on there? Pant wanted 2 runs, Sarfaraz can be seen jumping about trying to deny a second run. Pant was way outside his crease, but New Zealand completely mess up the run out chance! Pant survives. Rohit Sharma is stunned in the dressing room at the miscommunication, Sarfaraz appears livid!

Pant counts his lucky stars and goes over mid-on for four!

IND 270/3 (55.5 overs)

Rishabh Pant on this occasion! Angles with soft hands towards the slip cordon, falls just short of Tom Latham in short third man, and goes for four. New Zealand's lead now UNDER 100.

And then Sarfaraz plays it high across third man for four. Risky, again, but it's paying off!

IND 261/3 (54 overs)

So risky (or clever?) from Sarfaraz! This time he edges it between the wicket-keeper and first slip for his fourth boundary of Day 4, and brings up India's 250. Calculated risk-taking or rush of blood? So far, it's paying off for Sarfaraz.

New Zealand have a fielder at gully standing with a helmet on!

IND 251/3 (53 overs)

Sarfaraz is really trying his luck out there. Counter-attacking New Zealand. Playing the aerial game, putting them and the fielders under pressure, and it's working! Devon Conway makes a slip-up in the deep, and Sarfaraz gets four more. He is in the 80s now.

IND 245/3 (52 overs)

Pant off the mark off his third delivery. Flicks it to leg-side for a single. India edging towards 250 early on Day 4. New Zealand still have a significant lead of 115.

IND 241/3 (51.3 overs)

Two boundaries off Will O'Rourke's over. Great start by Sarfaraz Khan to Day 4 proceedings. Sarfaraz is not afraid, and goes for the aerial route once again, between the fielders, for four. Brave stuff.

IND 240/3 (51 overs)

Sarfaraz is back in the mood on Day 4. Uses the short ball to upper cut it over the slip cordon for four. Excellent application by the set batter. 

IND 236/3 (50.1 overs)

Rishabh Pant has joined Sarfaraz Khan in the middle! Sarfaraz faces the first over of the day, bowled by Matt Henry, picks up a run. Pant faces the final ball and it's a solid defence. That completes 50 overs of the Indian innings!

IND 232/3 (50 overs)

The floodlights are on in Bengaluru. It's dark but we might still have a start sometime soon. meanwhile, Pant can be seen jogging. His leg is strapped. It would be interesting to see if he gets to bat next. 

Anil Kumble repeats again, "If Rishabh Pant can bat till lunch, India will certainly be ahead of New Zealand." If it's coming from the great man, there is a big logic to it. We all know what he did in Brisbane in 2021 and what he almost pulled off in Sydney on the same Tour. 

"There are cracks. If it hits the front of the crack it keeps low, if it hits the end of the crack kicks up. It does seam off the cracks too. Runs are there to be had but it is definitely not a bad day to be bowling too," say  Simon Doull and Murali Kartik.

Former India captain Anil Kumble, a TV expert with the official broadcasters, said: "The match is still in favour of New Zealand. But if Rishabh Pant can bat till lunch, it will be match on. He will be key. Sarfaraz Khan is a confident cricketer, he is a street-smart cricketer."

But will rain play a spoilsport today in Bengaluru? There was no play possible on Day 1. Fresh Visuals show it's gloomy but there is no rain. The Indian team is training already and Virat Kohli can be seen talking to KL Rahul, the man who should come next to bat along with Sarfaraz - if the team management does not opt for any surprise. 

Sarfaraz Khan and Virat Kohli looked good yesterday until Kohli fell on the final ball on Day 3. Had it not happened, India would have been a far more comfortable spot. With a stiff deficit still, new batter KL Rahul will have his task cut out while Sarfaraz Khan, at the other end, will be eyeing a ton. 

A total of 453 runs were scored on Day 3 - the second highest in a day's play in India. The result was that after New Zealand took a huge lead by scoring 402 in the first innings in reply to India's 46, India ended the day on 231/3 at stumps. The deficit is still 125 with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswala and Virat Kohli back in the hut. 

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Day 4 of he 1st Test between India and New Zealand. Things can be quite interesting for both the teams today.